I Need You (Meant For Me Book 1) Page 5

  It was our first game of the season and I was pepped up more than usual. It was a home game and we were up 45-31 by the second half. When the opposing team’s band took to the field, Aria took my hand and dragged me toward our friends. I followed her, eager to grab some food. I noticed Deklan standing next to Liam and my stomach constricted a little at the sight of him. His dark hair was spiked in its usual fashion, but I’d noticed that he runs his hands through it so much that it loses product throughout the day.

  His muscles were definitely defined through the black shirt he was wearing, and saliva pooled in my mouth. Why on earth did he have to be so freaking hot? Even reminding myself that we’d agreed to keep some distance, when he smiled at me my mouth curved to match it.

  He didn’t tease me or try to annoy me the past week, and he rarely said more to me than the casual ‘hello/goodbye’, but he always smiled softly at me. Being near him made me lightheaded sometimes and there were moments I was completely lost to anything but his presence. I wanted to look at him and memorize every part of him, but as much as my heart demanded him, my brain told me to slow down.

  Zane scooped Aria up as soon as we reached them and threw his arm around her shoulders as we headed to the concession stand. I gave a hesitant glance over at Deklan to see his eyes on me.

  “Hey,” he said with the same smile.

  “Hi.”

  He reached up to run his hand through his hair and for once he looked a little nervous. My lips compressed to hold back the girly giggle that wanted to escape.

  “You looked really good out there,” he told me and then cleared his throat. “I couldn’t stop watching you.”

  My eyebrows went up at the compliment and I jabbed him softly in the side with my elbow. Partly because I wanted to tease him, but mostly I just wanted to touch him.

  “If you think your stalking tendencies will gain you points, you’re sadly mistaken.”

  He smirked, relaxing next to me. “I can’t really help it, really. I definitely like the uniform.”

  I looked down as I smoothed my hand down the red, white, and gold uniform, not wanting him to see my blush at his words. I shuffled behind Zane and Aria, trying to think of something to say, anything to keep the conversation going. I’ve never really had any trouble talking to anyone before and this was making me feel strange.

  “What’s up, Pixie?”

  I frowned up at him, trying to be annoyed. “Don’t call me that.”

  He winked, and my body responded in an unexpected way. “I kinda like it. You’re tiny and beautiful, like Tinker Bell. That’s what you remind of, a sweet and sassy pixie.”

  Oh, well, that was endearing.

  “Okay, fine.” We stopped in line and I nudged him again. The contact wasn’t enough, but it would have to do for now. “So, a drummer, huh? How long have you been playing?”

  We glanced back when we heard Reggie shooting off at the mouth, like usual, and then Deklan speared me with those dark blue eyes.

  “I picked it up when I was twelve, but really got into it in high school. I was in a band for a couple years before I dropped it.” He shrugged and looked at the menu behind the counter. “Playing with Coming Undone is a new experience, though. They really get into their music.”

  I nodded and a surge of pride filled my chest. “They’re one of the best high school bands I’ve heard. The guys have been playing for what feels like forever, and they all pour their hearts into the music. They’re really loved around here.”

  He chuckled and scratched the back of his head. “Yeah, I figured that one out right away.”

  I fiddled with sleeve of my thermal that was under my cropped uniform top, attempting to decide on what I wanted, and not the masculine scent wafting around me. An arm slithered around my shoulders and my body tensed with revulsion at the recognition. I jerked away when wet lips pressed hard against my cheek.

  “What the hell, Cody?” I turned to glare at him, hating that his nasty smell was stinking up my Deklan-scent fog. His football pads made him look bigger, but he had nothing on Deklan. He narrowed his eyes behind me and then his features softened when he looked at me.

  “Had to come get a good luck kiss from my girl.”

  I scoffed, wiping at my cheek. Lord, he was freaking gross.

  “Jeez, Cody, you are so friggin’ dense.” I stepped away from him, my back pressing up against Deklan. I felt myself relax knowing he was there. Crossing my arms over my chest, I stiffened my back. “I don’t know how you aren’t hearing me clearly, Cody, but you’re freaking me out.”

  His brows furrowed in confusion and he shook his head. “I’ve been giving you all the space you wanted, but I know you don’t want to end it. We were so good together.”

  I huffed, starting to feel a little sorry for him. Before I could respond, Cody grabbed my hands in his, squeezing a little too tightly when I went to pull away. A pair of hands darted out to grab Cody’s wrist, and my heart kicked up a few more notches.

  “Wrong move, fucker,” Deklan’s cold voice muttered from behind me. When his hold loosened I pulled my arms away, and then Luke was pulling me behind him. I struggled a little, needing to be with Deklan. I didn’t want him to fight because of me, especially not after all he’s been through.

  “Get the fuck off me, loser,” Cody snarled, jerking away and pushing at Deklan, who growled – literally growled – in response. I gasped and lunged for Deklan just as Zane stepped in and grabbed at Cody’s jersey, yanking him close to his menacing face.

  “You feel like dying tonight, Hudson? Because I swear to you that’s what’s gonna happen here. And as much as I’d love to see it, you’re not worth the trouble.” He shoved him so forcefully that Cody almost tripped. “Your team is resting up in the locker room, and I suggest you do the same.”

  Cody’s eyes held nothing but loathing as he stared past to Zane to Deklan. I blinked, my arms tightening their hold on Deklan’s waist. I wondered again why in the world I had dated him. How didn’t I see how creepy he was?

  “This isn’t over, delinquent! Stay the fuck away from Emma!”

  He stormed off towards the locker room, and I started shaking at the threat. Zane grunted and turned towards us, eyeing my arms around Deklan’s waist surprisingly. Snapping my arms back, I folded them across my chest to stop the nerves.

  “Are you okay?” I asked Deklan, my eyes focusing on his chest until his warm hand wrapped around my jaw, tilting it up to meet his dark eyes.

  “I’m fine, Pixie,” he said gruffly, but bent his neck until his face was close to mine. “But are you okay?”

  I was having trouble breathing with his hands caressing my face. All the tension left my body until all I could feel was him touching me. I cleared my throat and shrugged.

  “I-I’m okay, just a little freaked.”

  “What a fucking idiot,” Reggie sneered and threw his arm around my shoulders, pulling me away from Deklan and the moment we’d just shared. “All this bullshit made me hungrier. What do you want Slim? I’m buying.”

  I flung his arm off me, mad that he’d interrupted, and stepped up to the counter. The three women behind it stared at me with sympathy, but I ignored it.

  “I’ll take two slices of pizza, a corndog, and a coke.” I nodded my head at Reggie. “And he’s paying for the whole group.”

  “Hey!” Reggie shouted, but Jeff pushed him out of the way.

  “In that case, I’ll take three slices of pizza, two hotdogs, a large popcorn, and two cokes.” He grinned widely and winked at me. “You want some candy, Slim?”

  I nodded vigorously. I grabbed a few candy bars along with Jeff, and the rest of the group stepped up, effectively keeping a grumbling Reggie toward the back. I couldn’t stop laughing as I bit into my candy bar.

  I stepped out of the way and Deklan followed after putting in his order. I grinned at him, and then realized I probably had chocolate on my teeth and closed my mouth. He stood close to me and I suddenly had trouble swallowing my
food. It was times like this that I wished I wasn’t so affected by him.

  We were quiet as we watched our band playing, but as my eyes stared one way, the rest of me was solely focused on the guy next to me. It’s been almost a week and I still can’t get him out of my mind. I didn’t know how to turn off this desire I had for him. I didn’t know if it was because he was new and hot, or if there was something more underlying all of this. There was so much we didn’t know about each other, yet my body recognizes his instantly.

  A shoulder bumped mine and Aria smirked knowingly down at me. I glowered at her when Bianca flanked my other side, handing me my plateful of food and soda bottle.

  “You are so found out,” she snickered, hip-bumping me.

  “Ugh, will you two giants stop jostling me? You know I bruise easily.”

  She propelled us forward, stuffing her chicken sandwich in her mouth.

  “I think it’s cool, chica,” Aria told me, running her free hand down my ponytail. She sighed and leaned against me as we walked to the fenced that separately the field and track from the pavement. “My man is so delicious when he’s angry.”

  I snorted and shared a look with Bianca. Aria and Zane were pretty much insatiable and they weren’t afraid to get all hot for each other around others. A lot of the times that you look at one of them they’re eye-fucking the other one. I would have thought they would have gotten out of that phase a while ago.

  Biting my lip, I took a quick glance behind me, seeing the guys a few feet away talking in a group. I bit into my pizza, finishing the first one and starting on the second, when I decided to confess to my girls.

  “I think I might a small crush on Deklan,” I said softly. They both grunted simultaneously and my face warmed. “Okay, maybe a little more than a crush.”

  “Baby cakes, this is old news.” Bianca nodded to Aria. “We think you should give him a shot. He’s obviously into you big time, and the guy totally took up for you back there.”

  “You guys have already talked about this?” I asked incredulously, then rolled my eyes and finished off my second pizza. I should have known these two would be conspiring behind my back. They thought it was their duty to find a guy for me, but I didn’t have an argument for this one. This time I actually thought they were on the right path. I knew Deklan was into me, just like he knew I was into him. It’s been hard to deny it, especially with the pull being so strong.

  “I don’t know, though. I told myself he was dangerous and violent, and he really got to me that first day.” I took another glance back to make sure he couldn’t hear me. “I just…my heart really wants him and it won’t be able to handle it if it’s crushed.”

  Bianca turned serious, her blue eyes vibrant and fiery. “You always think too hard, Emma. Your heart and mind are at war, and it’s making you second guess, like usual.” She tossed her plate away and grasped my shoulders. “I am fucking begging you to give this guy a chance. You’re too uptight lately.”

  “I have a reason to be uptight,” I argued. “It’s my senior year! I should be focusing more on my studies, and we have cheer competitions coming up. It’s all just too much!”

  “I’ve never figured you to make such lame excuses, Slim.” Bianca frowned at me and then shook her head. “You’re smart and know your shit when it comes to school, and you totally kick ass at those competitions, and you know it.”

  She made a noise of satisfaction and took my corndog from me. When she tossed it in the trashcan I could have cried. I wasn’t even done with it. “You’re gonna cut the bullshit and give this a chance, and because we love you oh so very much we’re going to help you.” I tried to reply to that, but Aria hastily grabbed my arm and pulled me away.

  “Game’s started, catch ya later, Flame,” she called, dragging me to the field. I glared back at Bianca as I tried not to trip. Her smile was victorious as she waved her fingers at me.

  “I can’t believe you two are consorting against me,” I grumbled when we got back in formation next to the field. “What if I didn’t want to date Deklan?”

  Not that it didn’t sound interesting, seeing how just having his name roll off my tongue had my mouth tingling. Aria picked up her pompoms and handed me mine, seemingly amused.

  “Emma, for fuck’s sake, you are so stubborn! Always so bullheaded! You need to break those walls and really live, girl. Me, you, and Bianca, we’re sisters at heart and we both want you to be happy.” She sniggered as she shook her head. “I don’t know why you’re being difficult, it isn’t even that bad. So he got in a fight and went to jail, who cares? You’ve seen guys fight before, and he served his time for it. Everybody makes mistakes, you know that.”

  I sighed in defeat. They were right and I was making a big deal out of something so small. I was being all weird and crappy, and that wasn’t like me at all. Clapping my pompom together, I nodded.

  “Okay, whatever. You’re right and I suck. Happy now?”

  She grinned. “Immensely.”

  I punched her arm with my pompom and checked to makes sure all the other girls were back. Putting on my bright smile, I called for other girls to get in formation. I tried to not look in the direction of my friends. Really, I did. But it was so hard not to when I could feel his eyes searing my skin from afar. Every time I glance over in that direction our eyes automatically locked on to one another. This new ball of energy welled up inside me, playing ping-pong with my ribs.

  After the game the guys were throwing a concert at The Garage. I debated on whether or not I was going, but my decision was made for me when my family came rushing over. Kat waddled precariously down the concrete steps, Jon matching her every move in case she fell.

  My mom was set to fly off to New York tomorrow morning and it was family night.

  “My beautiful cheerleader!” My mom hugged me hard. Her green eyes twinkled with delight, my smile mirroring her own. “You always know how to get the crowd going!”

  “I don’t think they cheer for us, mom, but thanks.”

  “We’re barbequing tonight!” Kat chimed in, rubbing her extending belly. “Steaks and potatoes, and Josie made a chocolate cake that I’m dying to taste!” She wiped at her mouth. “Crap, I’m drooling. We’ll meet you guys at the house.” She grabbed T.J and Jon’s hands, and traipsed away.

  “Let me say goodnight to my friends and then I’ll ride home with you.”

  CHAPTER 5.

  The first two weeks of school went by better than that first day. I spent every day after work, and the days I had off, with my family. Kat, her husband Jon, and my nephew, T.J came over a few of those days and we’d barbeque, swim, and play pool volleyball. I loved it when the family was all together, especially every other Saturday when Kat, my mom, and I would have our girl’s day. We’d start the morning at a spa, then go to lunch, and shop for hours. We always had the best time together; talking about everything and catching up.

  I didn’t tell them about Deklan. No way. At least, not my mom. She’d flip her shit, but not Kat. She knows more about boy problems than I ever will.

  I kept my word to Deklan and didn’t give him the cold shoulder, but it turned out that I didn’t need to try, because he didn’t even talk to me unless he had to. Besides the normal hello/see you later, he made no actual conversation with me.

  I didn’t know if this was the space he was giving me or if he just didn’t want to talk to me anymore because I’d been a complete B-word. Most of the guys from this school didn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. When I’d told Cody that I needed some space he was in my face two days later asking if I’d had enough time. Not Deklan…nope, he respected my wishes to back off.

  I know what I said, and I really did need to put some emotional distance between Deklan and I, but I was actually feeling left out. I didn’t go to the guys’ practice; because I knew that seeing him working his magic behind a set of drums, most likely sweating as he did so, would completely break me.

  I was such a wussy.

  Aria was
frustrated with me, but she didn’t argue. She told me that I was being a coward. She was right, but I wasn’t about to tell her that. The guys play their first gig since Deklan came next week, and I couldn’t miss that. It wasn’t really a gig, but rather performing at the property that Liam’s parents owned.

  Work wasn’t much better, either. Eddie must have said something to Deklan that night he found us outside, because Deklan kept even more distance at the restaurant. He acknowledged me with a nod, but that was all. Reggie didn’t make it easier with his big mouth, either. I let that go because there was no way to close Reg’s mouth for longer than two seconds. That was just how he was.

  The only alone time Deklan and I got was sixth period, our free period. We usually sat at the same picnic table in the school courtyard, under one of the maple trees. I don’t really understand how we just ended up meeting there every day, but I sort of, really like it. I’d do homework while he either wrote in his notebook or pull out his drumsticks and play on the table. It was oddly comforting, listening to him drum while I studied. We wouldn’t talk, not really, but talking wasn’t really needed.

  Deklan now ate with us at lunch, along with his sister, Molly, who was a junior. I really liked her. She was tall and lithe, and had dark blue eyes like Deklan. Her black hair was long, stopping just above her tattoo on her lower back, which I finally found out was the Japanese symbol for strength in between two butterflies with dark blue wings. She pulled it off without looking like a skank, which was pretty awesome. She was tall and willowy like Bianca and Aria, and had this don’t-mess-with-me attitude going on.

  “Daydreaming about me?” I jumped at the sound of Cody’s voice. English class hadn’t started and Deklan hadn’t arrived yet. He usually met the rest of us in the parking lot and he’d walk with me and Luke to our first period. Today he wasn’t there. I had to fight the urge to call him and make sure he was okay.

  Shaking my head I shoved at Cody’s hip that was sitting on the end of my desk, but it didn’t budge. “Go away, Cody. I’m not in the mood.”